serendipity421's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
emilyhv's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Medical content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Violence
belle2008's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death of parent, Violence, Bullying, and Cancer
coffeedragon's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stargazing is a graphic novel mainly following two girls in a Chinese American community. We have Christine, who plays the violin and carries the expectations of her parents to be a perfect daughter, which means no boys, no makeup, and good scores at school. Then she meets Moon. She is everything Christine wants to be, loud, imaginative, and uncaring of what others think. But amid that fascination is also jealousy and a sense of otherness. Moon is not like her and the other asian kids and families
There were so many things I loved about this book, from how beautiful the illustrations were, to the use of dance and k-pop to create bonds, and even the heavier topics of childhood illnesses. While I was never diagnosed with anything severe, I did have seizures for a really long time growing up, and it was just nice to see this other side brought up. Childhood is always portrayed as something pure and innocent and carefree, but there are people like Moon who have had struggles that can mean life or death.
It was also really nice to see the exploration of identity, not so much via introspection but by our relationship with the people around us. In this case, Christine learning that there are many ways of being Chinese. There was also the building of friendship, the healing, family dynamics, so much
It's a lot to put and reconcile in just one book but I still really enjoyed the execution and recommend it!
There were so many things I loved about this book, from how beautiful the illustrations were, to the use of dance and k-pop to create bonds, and even the heavier topics of childhood illnesses. While I was never diagnosed with anything severe, I did have seizures for a really long time growing up, and it was just nice to see this other side brought up. Childhood is always portrayed as something pure and innocent and carefree, but there are people like Moon who have had struggles that can mean life or death.
It was also really nice to see the exploration of identity, not so much via introspection but by our relationship with the people around us. In this case, Christine learning that there are many ways of being Chinese. There was also the building of friendship, the healing, family dynamics, so much
It's a lot to put and reconcile in just one book but I still really enjoyed the execution and recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Cancer, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
Bad at tagging, might be more!nerdysread's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It’s a great story. I almost cried. Characters are great. And the drawings too. And the story 🥺
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Death of parent
nisha_nee's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
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